Apparatus for coating pipes and the like



A. G. PERKINS `APPARATUS FOR COATING PIPES AND THE LIKE Aug. 8, 19,39.

Filed April 5, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l R. mw, ww $5. a,

Aug'. 8, 1939.' `A. G. PERKINS APPARATS FKOR COATING PIPES AND THE LIX.

F'ild April 3, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2;

Inria,

r 1 Malaui Patented Aug. 8, 1939 PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR COATING PIPES AND THE LIKE Albert G. Perkins, Warsaw,y N. Application' April 3, 1937, Serial No. 134,870

13 Claims.

two feet, although it is capable of operating on larger pipes, and wherein means are provided for longitudinally feeding the pipe relative to the coating distributing means during the application of the coating to the pipe-wall.

Another object of the invention is to provide' simple and eflcient means for uniformly and evenly distributing a plastic or mortar-like material, such as concrete, overV the pipe-wall, and

for eiectually thinning the material to a minimum before depositing it onto the pipe-wall.

Other features of the invention reside in the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings: g Figure l is a sectional side elevation of a coating apparatus embodying my invention. Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary longitudinal section of the distributing heads and associated parts. Figure 3 is an enlarged cross section taken on line 3--3, Figure l. Fi-gure 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of a modied form of distributing head construction. Figure 5 is a face View of the revolving element ofthe mortardistributing head shown in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6 6, Figure 2.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the. several views.

While my apparatus may be employed for coating different kinds and sizes of piping, conduits and the like, it has been primarily designed for treating the inner walls of such parts having comparatively small diameters, 'say up to a few feet, with a protective coating of concrete or other plastic or mortar-like material. In its general organization, my invention consists of a stationary device or apparatus including a dispensing means for applyingl the protective coatying to the pipe wall, and means for moving the pipe axially or lengthwise relative to the dispensing means. 4

Referring no'w to the drawings, particularly Figures 1-3, inclusive, I0 indicates a section of steel pipe which is supported for movement during the, coating operation upon a wheeled support or lcarriage guided upon suitable tracks I2. The pipe may be securely and detachably held in place on this carriage by clamping screws or bolts I3. While any suitable means may be employed for transmitting motion to the carriage and its pipe at a comparatively slow speed, that shown in 'the drawings consists of a revolving power screw I4 disposed parallel to and above the tracks I2 and journaled at one end in a base member or frame I5 and 'at its other end in a bearing bracket I6. Intermediate its ends this screw passes through alining threaded openings I'l in the carriage so that when the screw is turned in one direction or the other, the carriage will beA correspondingly moved forwardly or backwardly. An electric motor I8 mounted in the casing |5 and connected by gearing I9 and a transmission unit 20 with the screw serves to turn the same in one direction or the other.

Surmounting the frame I5 is a feed hopper or receptacle 2| for receiving the coating material, which may be concrete or some other substantially plastic material, and from the lower end of which projects a horizontally disposed feed member or conduit 22 disposed parallel to thecarriage operating screw I4 with its axis substantially in vertical alinement with that of the screw-axis. The pipe to be coated assumes a position about and in spaced concentric relation to this conduit so that as the pipe is moved axially relatively to the conduit a coating of the plastic material is applied to the inner wall of the pipe. Axial alinement of the pipe I0 about the conduit v22 may be maintainedA by rollers ||a engaging the bore of the pipe'and carried bya bracket IIb secured to the conduit, as shown in Figures 1 .and 3. Contained'in this conduit and extending part way into the hopper 2|, is a 4screw conveyor 23 or like element for propelling the coating material from the hopper to the front or discharge end 25 of the conduit which is provided with a dispensing device or applicator for de livering the coating material centrifugally onto the pipe-Wall. The feed screw is journaled 'at one end in a side wall of the hopper 2| while its opposite end isjournaled in a bearing collar 24 arranged adjacent the discharge end 25 of the,

. conduit and connected thereto by radial arms' or end 25' of the conduit 22 is the dispensing element of the apparatus for centrifugally delivering the coating material onto the pipe wall. As shown in Figure 2, the stem of the feed screw 23 extends beyond the discharge end of the conduit and mounted thereon to turn 'relatively thereto is a distributing head 29 which by preference is in the form of a circular plate of a diameter somewhat less than the bore of the pipe to be coated and which is provided on that face thereof opposing the discharge end of the conduit with a plurality of substantially radial or obliquely disposed blades or varies 30 for intercepting, directing and guiding the coating material onto the pipe wall. As shown in Figure 2, these blades are substantially trough-like in shape to scoop up the material as the head 29 is revolved Vand their inner ends extend into the path of discharge of the material as it is forced by the feed screw 23 from the discharge end 25 of the conduit 22, whereby the inner ends of the blades dig into the material and agitato it. To accomplish this result, the inner portions of the blades are provided with notches or recesses 3| which are collectively arranged in circumferential row and into which the discharge end of the conduit 22 is adapted to extend, the front edge of the conduit terminating short of the opposing face of the distributing head to provide for the passage of the material radially outwardly uponits being emitted from the discharge end of -the conduit. These blades by preference have suficient surface area to eiectually spread and thin out the material as it passes outwardly over the blades, so that when it reaches the peripheral edge of the plate 29 the material is centrifugally discharged in comparatively thin streams onto the surrounding pipe wall. If desired, the feed screw 23 at a point adjacent the discharge end of the conduit 22 may beprovided with a forwardly and outwardly flaring defiecting member 32 which functions to direct the material at an increased velos ity into the path of the inner portions of the distributor head blades 30.

While any suitable means may be employed forrotating the distributing head 29 at a comparatively highspeed to centrifugally apply the material to the pipe wall, I have provided an electric drive unit in the form of an electric' motor consisting of a stator or field 33 mounted on the extended end of a feed screw 23 alongside the distributing head, and a rotor or armature 34 free to revolve relative to the feed screw and connected in any suitable manner to the distributing head, as shown in Figure 2.

In some cases it is desirable to trowel or smooth down the material after it has been centrifugally deposited on the pipe wall and for this purpose I provide the distributing head with one or more trowels 35 each of which is mounted on the outer end of a resilient arm 36 adapted to flex toward and from the pipe walls and suitably secured to the distributing head and to which the adjustable weight 31 is applied for regulating, by centrifugal force, the tension or pressure of the trowel on the Pipe wall.

This apparatus is also provided with means for applying a curing or sealing fluid or like medium to the plastic coated wall immediately upon the application of the plastic material to the pipe and before evaporation of such material can'take place. For this purpose I mount a revolving fluiddistributing member 38 alongside the plastic material-distributing head 29 which is provided at its outer edge with an inturned flange 39 which constitutes a retaining wall for the fluid material, the periphery of the head having orifices 4|) therein for the centrifugal discharge of the fluid material onto the pipe coating. While the .fluid material may be delivered to the head 38 in any suitable manner, I have shown, by Way of example, a supply pipe 4I which extends through the hollow stem of the feed screw 23 for communication at its rear end with a source of fiuid supply, while its front or discharge end has openings 42 for the discharge of the material onto the distributing head 38. The means for rotating the latter my be identical with that for rotating the plastic material-distributing head and consists of an electric motor applied to the extended portion of the conveyor screw 23 and including a stator 43 and a rotor 44 which is free to revolve relatively to the feed screw and which is suitably connected to the head 38. By this construction, immediately upon the deposit of the concrete coating to the pipe wall, a curing or sealing iiuid, such as asphaltum or the like, is applied to the concrete, thereby preventing evaporation of the concrete mortar and assuring the retention of the water-content in the mortar to effect proper curing thereof and thus eliminate shrinkage and provide the necessary bond between the mortar and the steel pipe.

In Figures 4 and 5,' I have shown a slightly modified form of the concrete or mortar-distributing head and the fluid-distributing head, which -heads may be employed on the apparatus heretofore described as well as on apparatus for coating pipes, conduits and the like of large diameters. The concrete-distributing head is in the form of a dished plate 45 whose concave side faces the discharge end of the feed conduit 22 to receive the material as it is discharged from the conduit. Applied to the concave side of this distributing plate are material-intercepting blades 46 which are disposed substantially tangentially to the hub portion 41 of the plate in the manner shown in Figure 5. The outer edges of these blades terminate short of the peripheral edge of the plate, while their inner portions are provided with notches 48 into which the discharge end of the conduit 22 extends, and whereby the inner portions of the blades are disposed in the path of the material to intercept and thence direct it outwardly over the plate. By this construction, the material is held to the distributing plate a sui cient time to thin and smooth out before it is discharged from the periphery of the plate by centrifugal force onto the pipe wall. Motion is ,transmitted to this distributing plate by an electric motor or like driving element 49.

The fluid-distributing head shown in Figure 4 consists of a revolving, substantially cup-shaped member 50 mounted on the feed screw extension and having a forwardly and outwardly flaring annular wall 5I which terminates at its free edge in an inturned flange 52 which acts to retain the fluid material in this member. Ports or orifices 53 are provided at the enlarged end of the distributing member for the disch-arge of the fluid material in thin streams onto the pipe wall. The fluid material is delivered to this head through a feed pipe 54.

I claim as my invention:

1. An apparatus for lining pipe walls and the like, comprising a feed conduit adapted for communication with a source of coating material and having an axial discharge, and a revolving dispensing member disposed in operative relation to said conduit-discharge for receiving and discharging the material centrifugally therefrom, saiddispensing member having material intercepting blades disposed about the axis of and on that face of said member opposing the discharge of said conduit.

2. An apparatus for lining pipe Walls and the like, comprising a feed conduit adapted for communication with a source of coating material and having an axial discharge, and a revolving dispensingv member disposed in contiguous communicating relation to said conduit-discharge for receiving and discharging the material centrifugally therefrom, said dispensing member having material-intercepting blades about the axis of and on that face of said member opposing the discharge of said conduit, the latter intersecting the blades and terminating short of the face of said member to provide an outlet passage for the discharge of the material between the blades.

3. An apparatus for lining pipe walls and the like, comprising a feed conduit adapted for l communication with a source of coating mateposed about the axis of and on that face of said` member opposing the discharge of. said conduit,

the inner portions of said blades extending into the discharge end of said conduit to cut into and agitate the coating material.

4. An apparatus for lining pipe walls and the like, comprisinga feed conduit adapted for comdisposed munication with a source of coating material and having an axial discharge, and a revolving dispensing member disposed in operative relation to said conduit-discharge for receiving and discharging the material centrifugally therefrom, said kdispensing member having materiaL-inter-` cepting blades disposed about the axis of and on that face of said member opposing the discharge of said conduit, said blades being shaped to effect a thinning-out ofV the coating material before it is centrifugally discharged from the periphery of said member.

5. An apparatus for lining pipe walls and the like, comprising a feed conduit adapted for communication with a source of coating material and having an axial discharge, and a revolvingdispensing member disposed in operative relation to saidl conduit-discharge for receiving and discharging the material centrifugally therefrom, said dispensing member havin that side thereof facing the conduit-discharge of concave form, whereby the material discharged onto the plate is initially retained and thinned before being centrifugally discharged from the periphery of said member.

6. An apparatus for lining pipe walls and the like, comprising a frame, a hopper for the coating material having a feed conduit projecting therefrom containing a discharge, a revolving dispensing member disposed inoperative relation to the conduit-discharge for receiving and discharging the material centrifugally therefrom, means for feeding the material towardl the discharge end of said conduit, a pipe-engaging carriage disposed for supporting the pipe to be coated in encircling relation to the conduit and its dispensing member, means on said carriage for clamping engagement with' the exterior ofthe pipe, means on said conduit for guiding engagement with the interior of the pipe, and means for transmitting motion to said carriage to move it axially relatively to said conduit, in-

cluding a power screw journaled at one end in said frame in parallel` relation to the conduit,

said carriage having a threaded opening therein through which said screw passes.

7. An apparatus for lining pipe walls and the like, comprising a feed conduit adapted for communication with a source of. coating material and having a discharge, means extendingthrough the conduit for feeding the material therethrough toward its discharge, a revolving dispensing member disposed in operative relation to said conduitdischarge for receiving and discharging the material centrifugally therefrom, said feeding means including an extension projecting beyond. the conduit discharge and constituting a support on which said dispensing member is journaled, and an electric motor mounted on said extension and having its rotor connected to the dispensing member.

' 8. An apparatus for lining pipe walls and the like, comprising a feed conduit adapted for communication with a source of coating material and having an axial discharge, a revolving dispensing member disposed in opposing operative facial relation to the conduit-di-scharge for receiving and discharging the material centrifugally therefrom,

and a revolving fluid-distributing member dis-' posed alongside and axially of said dispensing member for centrifugally applying -a curing fluid to the coated pipe wall, said fluid-distributing member including an annular wall containing discharge ports. l

9. An apparatus for lining pipe walls and the like, comprising a feed conduit adapted for communication with a source of coating material and having a discharge, means extending through the conduit for feeding the material therethrough toward its discharge, a revolving dispensing member disposed in operative relation to said conduitdischarge for receiving and discharging the material centrifugally therefrom, said feeding means including an extension projecting beyond the conduit discharge and constituting a support on which said dispensing member is journaled, and a revolving fluid-distributing member journaled on said extension adjacent said dispensing member for centrifugally applying a curing fluid to the coated pipe wall.

10. An apparatus for lining pipe walls and the like, comprising a feed conduit adapted for communication with a source of coating material and having a discharge, means extending through the conduit for feeding the material therethrough toward its discharge, a revolving dispensing mem-v duit-discharge for receiving and discharging the material centrifugally therefrom, said feedingmeans including an extension projecting beyond the conduit discharge and constituting a support on which said dispensing member is journaled, a revolving fluid-distributing member journaled on said extension adjacent said dispensing member for centrifugallyl applying a curing fluid to the coated pipe wall, and an electric motor on said extension and having its rotor connected to said fluid-distributing member.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a feed conduit adapted for communication with a source of coating, material and having a discharge, and a revolving dispensing member disposed in operative relation to said conduit-discharge for receiving the material therefrom, said member including an outwardlyaring annular wall terminating at its flared end in an inturned ange and having outlet ports therein adjacent said flange for the centrifugal Y n stantially axially oi the pipe and including means discharge of the coating material therefrom.

12. An apparatus for lining pipe walls and the like, comprising a feed conduit for coating material and having a discharge, a revolving dispensing member in operative relation to said discharge for receiving and discharging material centrifugally therefrom, and rotatable means in said discharge including a flared deflecting member for directing the material at an increased velocity into the path of said dispensing member. 13. In an apparatus for lining pipe walls, a

rotatable member mounted for disposition subfor applying a coating material thereto, a substantially radially-disposed resilient arm mounted on said rotatable member for exure in the plane of its rotation and having a trowel applied to the outer end thereof for smoothing down the material applied to the pipe wall, and a weight adjustably mounted on said arm for regulating,

by centrifugal force, the pressure of the trowel 10 on the pipe wall.

ALBERT G. PERKINS. 

